France Pavilion to Expand Bakery in Epcot

Disney has filed paperwork today that confirms a complete overhaul, relocation, and expansion of the bakery in the France Pavilion at Epcot. The Boulangerie Patisserie, as it is formally named, will close sometime in the near future to begin the complete reworking. This expansion was first reported as a rumor on the Epcyclopedia blog a few days ago after Cast Members had been internally briefed on the project, but this paperwork makes the project formal/confirmed and thus TouringPlans.com Blog-worthy news.

The expansion will have two floors (whether they will both be guest spaces remains to be seen) and will include a 3,000 square foot kitchen. It will also accommodate Cast Member restrooms and break rooms in its backstage areas. An actual location is yet to be announced, but it’s possible this will be a new building as the permit mentions “relocating the QSR” (QSR = Quick Service Restaurant), and the contractor is Whiting Turner – a major builder involved typically only in larger projects at Disney.

R. A. Pedersen

R. A. Pedersen is the author of The Epcot Explorers Encyclopedia and runs the Epcyclopedia.com blog. He has been a research contributor to the TouringPlans.com Blog since 2006 and functions as sort of an all-around news desk and project-tracker.

On one hand the lines are always out the door there. On the other, the bakery’s small size is authentic. I’d like to see a second “competing” bakery opened next to the existing one. Sure, they’d sell food from the same kitchen, but it would be great theming and true to the small size of French bakeries.

No matter what, I’m happy at the prospect of a shorter wait for a cafe au lait and pain au chocolat.